So being new to cigar smoking i've watched allot of videos on properly lighting a cigar.I primarily smoke at home on my back porch. Its a 3d floor apartment so its pretty windy usually so matches are out. I was able to pick up a xikar ellipse ii on cigar bid fo 30$. So in the videos ive watched i've seen to hold the cigar at a 30-45 degree angle while rotating.the cigar. The stogie fresh video says to just move the lighter until it gets a nice even cherry. So what is the proper way with a torch lighter?
couple ?'s on lighting with a torch lighter.
- Thread starter Schmec
- Start date
Don't think there is a right or wrong way to light a cigar as long as you don't char the tobacco. Rotating the cigar or the lighter to get a nice even cherry is about the same thing the only thing you need to be careful off is to keep the cigar at an inch or so away from the flame is you're using a torch lighter and gently toast the foot till you get it burning nice and evenly. A lot of people will take the flame directly to the foot and get it going quickly I find that chars the tobacco and gives a bitter taste to it when smoking so I take my time and gently toast the foot to get it going.
End of the day its what you prefer and how you like it. I light, cut and smoke most people I know cut, cold draw, light and smoke so whatever floats your boat is the right way I guess.
End of the day its what you prefer and how you like it. I light, cut and smoke most people I know cut, cold draw, light and smoke so whatever floats your boat is the right way I guess.
cartisdm
Young & Eager
The proper way to light a cigar is any way you feel comfortable. However, there are certain aspects of the process that can be beneficial. I hold my cigar at about a 45* angle (like you mentioned) and use a single flame torch lighter. The double/triple flames get too hot. Then I use a combination of rotating the cigar with my thumb and index finger while moving around the flame to ensure everything gets toasted properly.
I don't let the cigar get red. Just a nice even black foot, maybe a little glow here and there. Once this step is complete, I pop it in my mouth and start to draw. Sometimes the cigar is done, sometimes it still needs a little more flame while I draw.
One thing to note, don't stick the flame right up to the cigar. Use the heat light it.
I don't let the cigar get red. Just a nice even black foot, maybe a little glow here and there. Once this step is complete, I pop it in my mouth and start to draw. Sometimes the cigar is done, sometimes it still needs a little more flame while I draw.
One thing to note, don't stick the flame right up to the cigar. Use the heat light it.
Don't think there is a right or wrong way to light a cigar as long as you don't char the tobacco. Rotating the cigar or the lighter to get a nice even cherry is about the same thing the only thing you need to be careful off is to keep the cigar at an inch or so away from the flame is you're using a torch lighter and gently toast the foot till you get it burning nice and evenly. A lot of people will take the flame directly to the foot and get it going quickly I find that chars the tobacco and gives a bitter taste to it when smoking so I take my time and gently toast the foot to get it going.
End of the day its what you prefer and how you like it. I light, cut and smoke most people I know cut, cold draw, light and smoke so whatever floats your boat is the right way I guess.
End of the day its what you prefer and how you like it. I light, cut and smoke most people I know cut, cold draw, light and smoke so whatever floats your boat is the right way I guess.
Ya that's pretty much what i've been doing. Ill.get the foot nicely blackened blow on it a few times to.make sure its evenly burning then take a puff from there. Usually I don't have to even bring a flame to it when I start puffing it seems to burn nice and even. Is there any benefit to lighting before cutting or is it purely personal preference?
cartisdm
Young & Eager
I also should mention, I do use a triple flame torch lighter when I'm on the golf course. Whenever I play it's windy (which is why my score is so high, but I digress). All that wind makes it hard to light the cigar using just the heat. I've found that the triple flame lighters allow me to still use the heat without putting the flame against the tobacco.
I find they taste and smoke better but try it for yourself and see if you notice a difference.
javajunkie
BoM July '12
i personally like the 45 degree thing, mostly so i can get it lit from the binder in. probably superstition on my part, but we all have our rituals, and in my sick head it helps ensure an even burn.
also, to reiterate, use a torch AT A DISTANCE, like an inch from the apex of the flame to the tobacco. heat is good, fire bad.
also, to reiterate, use a torch AT A DISTANCE, like an inch from the apex of the flame to the tobacco. heat is good, fire bad.
The goal is to (as others have said) make sure that the cigar is EVENLY lit. Many people wonder why the cigar tunnels or "canoes" down one side, or just burns irregularly needding constant correction....More often than not, these burning problems are caused by an uneven initial light.
Take a few minutes to get it going evenly :thumbsup:
Take a few minutes to get it going evenly :thumbsup:
JuYcEmAn
¡Soy un esnob de Fuente!
I wholeheardtedly agree with both. I "toast" the foot, without "charring" the tobacco wrapper. After it is nice and toasty, I then drag to create a nice even cherry.
A quality single-torch lighter is good enough; unless, of course, it's very windy...
StogieNinja
Derek | BoM June 2014
Most important point so far!
Depends on how cold it is, how much heat your lighter produces, how dense the cigar itself is... it's like asking how long it takes to light a campfire. Just all depends. You're looking for the proper effect, not a certain timeframe.
I think everything has been covered...soooooo, on a lighter note I think that the parody video that was put up a few months ago of those 2 guys "properly cutting and lighting" their cigar was friggin hilarious!
Yes! :applause: